Base maintenance cut back amid fiscal restraints Published July 23, 2014 By Airman 1st Class Jelani Gibson 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Grass is going to grow taller, rooms are going to be cleaned less often and overall base maintenance will see a change in standards as the budget for base upkeep dwindles. Base maintenance, which ranges in everything from custodial contracts to grass-cutting won't be initiated as frequently due to current budget constraints within the Air Force. "Due to the recent federal budget reductions, the Air Force minimum grounds maintenance standards have been revised to reduce the costs associated with grounds maintenance services," said Mark Snyder, 82nd Contracting Squadron director of business operations. With fiscal constraints being the main force behind new standards, measures are being taken to conform to a more financially austere environment. "The new Sheppard grounds maintenance standards are basically designed to address both the budgetary constraints and meet the intent of the new Air Force grounds maintenance standards," Snyder said. "As a result of the implementation of these new standards, areas on base that were previously maintained on a reoccurring basis are now maintained on an infrequent basis." The cuts are also meant to keep mission-essential training elements in a state of readiness to address the base mission of training and inspiring warriors. "If we cut back on grounds maintenance, we don't cut back on training," said Senior Airman Badri Francis, 82nd CONS services acquisitions specialist.